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Hiking and backpack carriers

Framed backpacks for trails, with sunshades, storage, and adjustable fit.

Empty framed hiking backpack carrier with sun canopy on a dirt trailhead among pinesHiking
  • 17models tracked
  • $159 to $450price range
  • 40 lb–48.5 lbchild weight limit

Hiking and backpack carriers by budget

The 15 hiking and backpack carriers with a published list price, split into thirds by price. A to Z within each lane. Price isn't a quality rating.

Budget-friendlyUnder $2805
Mid-range$280 to $3705
Splurge$370 and up5

All 17 hiking and backpack carriers

Must have:
Filters
Price
Carrier weight
Carries up to at least
Must have
Brand
✓ maker says yes ✕ maker says no ? not published
CompareLumbar support
Chicco SmartSupport Backpack Carrierfor 17–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carryLumbar support $179.9917–40 lb16.2 lb✓
Deuter Kid Comfortfor up to 48.5 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $330?–48.5 lb17.12 lb?
Deuter Kid Comfort Active1 positionsBack carry $280–1–?
Deuter Kid Comfort Active SLfor up to 48.5 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $280?–48.5 lb15.84 lb?
Deuter Kid Comfort Profor up to 48.5 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $390?–48.5 lb17.83 lb?
Kelty Journey PerfectFITfor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $299.9516–40 lb16.38 lb?
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elitefor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $399.9516–40 lb17.25 lb?
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signaturefor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $369.9516–40 lb1–?
Osprey Poco (2023 series)for 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry –16–40 lb17.69 lb?
Osprey Poco LTfor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $34016–40 lb15.56 lb?
Osprey Poco Premiumfor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carryMachine washable $45016–40 lb18.34 lb?
Osprey Poco SLTfor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $25016–40 lb14.72 lb?
phil&teds Escapefor up to 40 lb, 1 positionsBack carryLumbar support $269.99?–40 lb16 lb✓
phil&teds Paradefor up to 40 lb, 1 positionsBack carryLumbar support $159.99?–40 lb14.4 lb✓
Thule Saplingfor 16–40 lb, 1 positionsBack carry $399.9516–40 lb18.4 lb?
Deuter Kid Comfort Venturefor up to 40 lb, 1 positionsDiscontinuedBack carry $240?–40 lb16 lb?
Osprey Poco Plus (2020 series)for 16–40 lb, 1 positionsDiscontinuedBack carry –16–40 lb1–?

Hiking and backpack carriers by the numbers

The 17 we compare, from each maker's published specs. Ranges, not ratings.

  • Storage12.5 L to 36 L; the middle half 17 L to 26 L (10 of 17 publish it)
  • Child weight limit40 lb to 48.5 lb; the middle half 40 lb to 40 lb (16 of 17 publish it)
  • Weight4.4 lb to 8.4 lb; the middle half 5.8 lb to 7.7 lb (14 of 17 publish it)
  • Price$159.99 to $450; the middle half $269.99 to $390 (15 of 17 publish it)

How common each feature is

  • Machine washable1 of 7 that list it

Carrier types side by side

The middle top limit for hiking and backpack carriers is 40 lb, from 16 that list one. Each row uses the makers' own limits.

TypeModelsTypical child weight (median)List back carryNewborn without insert
Soft structured817–35 lb56 of 7757 of 71
Stretchy wraps378–33 lb0 of 2931 of 31
Ring slings158–35 lb4 of 1314 of 14
Meh dai / half buckle218–45 lb20 of 2014 of 19
Hip seats258–44 lb10 of 191 of 14
Hiking1716–40 lb17 of 170 of 15
Toddler3425–55 lb26 of 330 of 34

At airport security

Shortlist: 3 models, each highest or lowest on one spec

Ranked on the maker's published numbers only. Not a safety or quality rating.

Storage vs price

Each dot is one of the 8 hiking and backpack carriers with both specs published. Numbered dots are the shortlist.

$200$300$400 12.5 L storage17 L storage22 L storage26 L storage36 L storage Storage Osprey Poco SLT: 22 L, $250Poco SLTKelty Journey PerfectFIT: 17 L, $299.95Journey PerfectFITKelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature: 26 L, $369.95Journey PerfectFIT SignatureThule Sapling: 22 L, $399.95SaplingKelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite: 26 L, $399.95Journey PerfectFIT EliteOsprey Poco Premium: 36 L, $450Poco Premiumphil&teds Parade: 12.5 L, $159.993ParadeOsprey Poco LT: 25 L, $3402Poco LT
Hover, tap or Tab to a dot to see the product. Exact numbers are in the table below.
  1. 1Deuter Kid ComfortHighest weight limit · not on the chart: no published storage
  2. 2Osprey Poco LTMost carry positions
  3. 3phil&teds ParadeLightest
All 8 on the chart, cheapest first
  1. phil&teds Parade12.5 L · $159.99
  2. Osprey Poco SLT22 L · $250
  3. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT17 L · $299.95
  4. Osprey Poco LT25 L · $340
  5. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature26 L · $369.95
  6. Thule Sapling22 L · $399.95
  7. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite26 L · $399.95
  8. Osprey Poco Premium36 L · $450

What to look for in hiking and backpack carriers

The range across every carrier here, with the typical middle half shaded and the shortlist marked.

Storage

The pack's storage volume, as the maker lists it.

12.5 Lmiddle 24 L36 L

Typical: 17 L to 26 L. 10 of 17 list it.

Child weight limit

The heaviest child the maker rates it for.

Kid Comfort
40 lbmiddle 40 lb48.5 lb

Most list 40 lb. 16 of 17 list it. Highest weight limit: Kid Comfort.

Weight

You feel this every time you lift it into a trunk, up stairs, or onto a bus.

Parade
4.4 lbmiddle 6.4 lb8.4 lb

Typical: 5.8 lb to 7.7 lb. 14 of 17 list it. Lightest: Parade.

Price

What it lists for at the maker or a major store. Sales move this often.

$159.99middle $299.95$450

Typical: $269.99 to $390. 15 of 17 list it.

Ask the meadow

Questions about hiking and backpack carriers

Answers come from each maker's published specs. Safety and health questions link to the agency or medical source.

What is the lightest hiking carrier?

The phil&teds Parade at 4.4 lb, of the 17 we track.

Which hiking carrier carries the heaviest child?

The Deuter Kid Comfort, up to 48.5 lb per the maker.

What is the most affordable hiking carrier?

The phil&teds Parade at $159.99 list price.

How do I wear a baby carrier correctly?

Carrier use: see the AAP's baby carrier page. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child. Many areas have free babywearing groups that can check your fit.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

Most-compared pairs

Side-by-side specs for the closest rivals in this category.

Not quite right? Other types

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